[prideandprozac]

I was hospitalized last spring then had summer break. It's the fall semester and I'm back at school

But it has also started to get harder to not skip classes, to do more than just scrape together assignments to turn in. Funny enough, I'm taking three psychology classes and you'd think these teachers might understand what I'm going through, but I don't think they'd care. They have so many students and on top of it, I'm not even sure if my disorder is a valid reason to justify anything.

It's weird though because I'm not trying to use it as an excuse; I just wish I could talk to them about it. Even that's a little strange, isn't it? I feel like I'm hiding all of this.

Ugh why can't this be simple like it used to be

[RomanSunburn]

Whenever I start to have trouble, I almost immediately alert my professors. I want them to know that I"m not slacking, I just struggle with depression and anxiety. Most of my professors, if not all, have been extremely understanding and have worked with me. I don't think you're using your disorder as an excuse. You're just still learning how to manage it and go to school at the same time, and that's not easy.

What I've done this semester has been really helpful. I started a reward jar. For every class I go to or a major assignment, I earn a dollar. Exams and essays (because those cause me A LOT of anxiety), five dollars. And that money I can spend guilt free on anything I want because I earned it. I also reward myself for good days. I put stickers in my date book when I have a good day -- make it to classes, appointments, didn't sleep all day, etc. And when I have five good days in a row, I get another dollar. It's really silly, but it's about learning to reward yourself for the good things you do and not focus on your slip ups.

I hope I've been a little help

[prideandprozac]

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

Whenever I start to have trouble, I almost immediately alert my professors. I want them to know that I"m not slacking, I just struggle with depression and anxiety. Most of my professors, if not all, have been extremely understanding and have worked with me. I don't think you're using your disorder as an excuse. You're just still learning how to manage it and go to school at the same time, and that's not easy.

What I've done this semester has been really helpful. I started a reward jar. For every class I go to or a major assignment, I earn a dollar. Exams and essays (because those cause me A LOT of anxiety), five dollars. And that money I can spend guilt free on anything I want because I earned it. I also reward myself for good days. I put stickers in my date book when I have a good day -- make it to classes, appointments, didn't sleep all day, etc. And when I have five good days in a row, I get another dollar. It's really silly, but it's about learning to reward yourself for the good things you do and not focus on your slip ups.

I hope I've been a little help

You've been a great help, thank you! & I think I'm going to adopt your reward system because it's like being able to actually see my progress